Weight release system for underwater divers

ABSTRACT

A weight release system for selectively releasing weights from an underwater diver. The weight release system includes at least one pocket attached to a buoyancy control device or a weight belt. The pocket includes an interior portion for retaining weights. A zipper is located on the pocket. The zipper is positioned on a bottom portion of the pocket. A cord runs from the zipper to a handle. Pulling the handle opens the zipper, causing the weights retained in the pocket to fall from the pocket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to underwater diving equipment, and moreparticularly, to a system for selectively holding and releasing weightsfrom an underwater diver.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] During underwater diving, it is desirable for a scuba diver andhis equipment to be neutrally buoyant. However, a scuba diver and hisequipment tend to have a natural positive buoyancy, which makes itparticularly difficult for a scuba diver to operate underwater. Tooffset this positive buoyancy or flotation effect, divers often wearlead weights. The weight of the diver and his equipment varies fromperson to person. Therefore, a unique quantity of weights are utilizedby each individual diver to achieve neutral buoyancy. The quantity ofweights must be selected based on this total weight of the person. If aperson is carrying different types of equipment, the amount of weightrequired to maintain the desired neutral buoyancy also changes.Therefore, the addition and removal of weights to a person must besimple and easy for the diver to accomplish.

[0005] In addition, although the added weights to the diver's equipmentprovide benefits to the diver while operating underwater, there arecircumstances where the diver must rapidly rise to the surface. However,with the added weights, any positive buoyancy of the diver is removed orreduced. For example, in emergency situations in which the diver isunable to return to the surface immediately, or requires assistance toreturn to the surface, the added weights can inhibit the return of thediver to the surface. Therefore, it is necessary that these addedweights be rapidly removed or jettisoned during an emergency.

[0006] To facilitate the use of weights on a diver, webbed belts havingweights threading into the webbing have been utilized. The belt buckleof the webbed belts have been designed so as to make it easy to releasethe belt in an emergency. Divers also often wear an inflatable vestcalled a buoyancy control device (BCD). The BCD allows the diver toutilize air to offset the negative buoyancy of the weights. The BCD mayuse the air from the air tanks of the diver to provide air to the BCD.Currently, divers commonly incorporate both the BCD and weight belt intoa device known as a weight-integrated BCD.

[0007] With the weight-integrated BCD, the weights are placed intospecial pockets that have some release mechanism for releasing theweights from the BCD in case of an emergency. To accommodate the rapidrelease of the weights from the BCD, many different methods have beenused. The most popular method is to have a weight pocket which includesweights positioned within an interior of the pocket. This pocket slidesinto a special slot on the BCD and is held in place with hook and pilefasteners (Velcro® strips). A handle is attached to the pocket. When thediver pulls on the handle, the Velcro® fasteners are pulled apart, thuspulling the pocket out of the slot and allowing the diver to drop thepockets with the weights inside. However, there are several significantdisadvantages to this popular apparatus. First, a large amount of forcemay be necessary to disengage the Velcro® fastener to enable the weightsto be released. However, in an emergency situation, some divers may havedifficulty applying sufficient force to enable the pockets to be pulledout of their slots on the BCD. In addition, continual use of the Velcro®fasteners causes the fasteners to wear out. The fasteners, if notproperly positioned together, do not adequately hold the weights inplace. Specifically, if the fasteners are not properly aligned, theweights may inadvertently fall out. Additionally, this apparatus isexpensive to manufacture, through the use of several components to thesystem. Also, during the release of the weights, the pockets are alsodiscarded.

[0008] To avoid the problems associated with these Velcro® weightpockets, some manufactures have recently implemented plastic cliprelease systems to the weight-integrated BCD. A diver pulls a handle,which causes a male and female bucket to unhook. The buckle retains theweight pocket in place against the BCD. Release of the buckle allows thepocket and weight to be released. Other manufacturers employ a systemwhich uses a bottom which allows a plastic clip to open and allow theremoval of the pocket. Both of these methods have significant problemsdue to their complex configuration, namely high production costs andhigh failure rate. Also, because of the cumbersome and complex design,these devices are not commonly used by divers.

[0009] The use of releaseable pockets provides its own inherentproblems. The divers must remove the pockets from the BCD to insert theweights, then replace the pocket in their respective locking mechanismto secure the pockets to the BCD. The process of placing weights withinthe pockets and locking the pockets on the BCD is extremely difficultwhen the diver is in the water.

[0010] Still another system employed by divers is a “parachute ripcordsystem.” In this system, the pocket is fastened onto an outside portionof the BCD. The pocket has a zipper on the top of the pocket to alloweasy insertion of the weights. To release the weights, a ripcord havinga nylon cabling ending with a pull handle is utilized. The bottom of thepocket is open, but by using loops of the nylon cord approximately everytwo inches, the loops pass through a series of stainless steel grommets.The nylon cabling can then be threaded through the loops. This, ineffect, “stitches” the bottom of the pocket together. Pulling the handledisengages the cabling from the loops, thus causing the bottom of thepocket to open, and the weights to naturally fall due to gravity.Obviously, one of the biggest disadvantages of this system is thetedious process of re-threading the bottom of the pocket. In addition,because of the spaces between the series of loops, gaps often form whichallow weights to accidently fall out the bottom of the pocket.

[0011] Review of existing release mechanisms do not teach or suggest adevice which allows the easy, cost-effective, and rapid removal andinsertion of weights within a weight belt or a BCD. It is an object ofthe present invention to provide such an apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In one aspect, the present invention is a weight release systemfor releasing a weight from an underwater diver. The weight releasesystem includes a pocket having an interior section for retaining aweight and a zipper located on the pocket. The zipper is positioned on abottom portion of the pocket. A cord having a first end and a second endis used. The first end is attached to the zipper and the handle isattached to the second end. An application of pulling force to thehandle causes the zipper to open, thereby creating an opening in thepocket and releasing the weight retained in the pocket by gravity fromthe pocket. The pocket may be affixed to a buoyancy control device(BCD), a weight belt, or a weight harness.

[0013] In another aspect, the present invention is a weight releasesystem for releasing a weight from an underwater diver. The weightrelease system includes a pocket having an interior section forretaining a weight. The pocket has an opening. A flap covers the openingand prevents the weight from falling out of the interior section of thepocket. A zipper is attached to the flap and the pocket. The system alsoincludes a cord having a first end and a second end. The first end isattached to the zipper and a handle is attached to the second end. Anapplication of pulling force to the handle causes the flap to fall freeto reveal the opening, thereby allowing the weight retained in thepocket to fall out through the opening.

[0014] In still another aspect, the present invention is a weightrelease system attached to a BCD for releasing a weight from anunderwater diver. The weight release system includes two pockets, eachpocket having an interior section for retaining a weight. Each pocket isattached to the BCD and includes a zipper located on the pocket. Thezipper is positioned on a bottom portion of the pocket. A cord isattached to the zipper on one end and has a handle on an opposite end. Agrommet is attached to the pocket for guiding the cord and enabling theapplication of pulling force on the handle to direct an appropriatelydirected force onto the zipper to move the zipper to an opened position.An application of pulling force to either handle causes the zipper toopen, thereby creating an opening in the pocket and releasing the weightretained in the pocket by gravity from the pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention will be better understood and its numerous objectsand advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art byreference to the following drawings, in conjunction with theaccompanying specification, in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a weight-integrated buoyancycontrol device (BCD) in the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the BCD worn by a diver inthe preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the pocket illustrated inthe closed position removed from the BCD;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the BCD worn by the diverreleasing weights from the pockets in the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention; and

[0020]FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the pocket illustrated inthe opened position removed from the BCD.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0021] A weight release system for use by an underwater diver isdisclosed. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a weight-integratedbuoyancy control device (BCD) 10 in the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. The BCD includes a vest 12 having an inflation tube14 and a waist portion 16. The waist portion includes a left waist band18 and a right waistband 20. The BCD also includes a belt 22. Attachedto each waistband are weight release systems 30. Each weight releasesystem includes one or more weight pockets 40 and 43. The weight pocketsmay be permanently affixed to the BCD or detachable. Each weight pocketincludes a zipper 42 having a cord 44 with a handle 46. The cord ispositioned through a grommet 48. The cord is preferably constructed of aflexible yet strong material, such as nylon cord. In addition, on a topor side portion of the zipper is an insert zipper 55.

[0022] The grommet may be any guiding mechanism for use in guiding thecord in a desired position (e.g., ring, loop/loops of material, hole forwhich cord runs through, etc.). Preferably, the grommet is affixed tothe bottom portion of the pocket, however in alternate embodiments ofthe present invention, the grommet may be positioned on anything (e.g.,other equipment worn by the diver) which allows proper guiding of thecord. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the zippers are shown in the closedposition. The handles may be releasably secured (e.g., Velcro®fasteners) to a portion of the BCD or diver to avoid unintentionalrelease of the weights. The handle may be configured in any manner whichenables the diver to easily grasp, such as a loop of material or a“T-handle.”

[0023]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the BCD 10 worn by a diver50 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As illustratedin FIG. 2, each weight pocket 40 and 43 includes the zipper in theclosed position. Individual weights 60 are positioned within an interiorportion of each pocket. As discussed above, weights are utilized toachieve neutral buoyancy for the diver and his equipment. The weightsare preferably inserted within the closeable open show as insert zipper55. Alternatively, the opening for inserting the weights may be anycloseable opening, such as a fastened flap, snaps or buckles.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the pocket 40 illustratedin the closed position removed from the BCD 10. The weights are heldwithin the interior of the pocket. The zipper is positioned on a bottomportion of the pocket. Alternatively, the zipper 42 may be positionedanywhere on the pocket which enables the weights to fall through theopening during an emergency. The zipper is preferably opened from therear of the pocket to the front. However, in alternate embodiments ofthe present invention, the zipper may be positioned anywhere on thepocket which enables the weights to fall freely from the pocket when thezipper is opened. In addition, the zipper may be opened alternativelyfrom front to rear. The grommet is optionally, although preferably,utilized in the weight release system 30. The grommet may be any guidingmechanism which enables the diver to apply force in any direction to thehandle and appropriately direct the force in such a manner as to openzipper. Thus, if a diver is experiencing an emergency, any force appliedto the handle may be used to open the zipper, without requiring thediver to direct more attention to the task of releasing the weights.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the BCD worn by the diver 50releasing weights 60 from the pockets 40 and 43 in the preferredembodiment of the present invention. In order to quickly release theweights from the pockets, each handle is individually pulled (preferablydownwardly or forwardly). As the handle is pulled, the cord attached tothe zipper is pulled, which in turn, causes the zipper to open. The cordis guided by the grommet 48 to enable any pulling action to the handleto apply the appropriately directed force to open the zipper. Asilustrated in FIG. 4, the pockets are shown in the open configuration.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the pocket 40 illustratedin the opened position removed from the BCD 10. As the handle 46 ispulled, the cord is pulled, thus causing the appropriately directedforce to be applied to move the zipper to the open position. As thezipper is opened, the weights are released by gravity downwardly.

[0027] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the operation of the presentinvention will now be explained. Weights may easily be inserted intoeach pocket to provide neutral buoyancy to the diver and his equipmentthrough each opened insert zipper 55. After the weights have beeninserted the zippers 55 are closed in a conventional manner (i.e.,zippered closed). When necessary, the weights may be quickly released bypulling on the handles. Each handle is attached to the cord 44, which isattached on an opposite end of the cord to the zipper. As a pullingforce is applied to the handle, appropriately directed pulling force isapplied to the zipper, thereby causing the zipper to move (in thisillustration, to the forward position). As the zipper is moved, thezipper is opened, thus allowing the weights contained in the pocket tofall out of the pocket.

[0028] In alternate embodiments, one handle may be attached to two ormore cords, with each cord attached to a zipper. In this alternativeconfiguration, the pulling of one handle causes each zipper for whichthe handle is attached to open. In addition, the weight pockets may belocated anywhere on the diver 50 or his equipment (e.g., weight belt,harness, or any location of the BCD). Additionally, although the zipperis depicted as opening from the rear of the pocket to the front, thezipper may be opened in any manner (e.g., zipper opens from front toaft). The zipper may be positioned anywhere on the pocket which allowsthe weights to fall from the pocket when the zipper is opened. Inanother alternate embodiment of the present invention, a zipper may beaffixed to a flap covering an opening of the flap. When the zipper isopened, the flap falls away, thereby creating an opening for weightsretained in the pocket to fall from the pocket.

[0029] The present invention provides many advantages over existingweight release systems. The present invention allows ease in insertingweights within the pockets, even when the diver is in the water.Additionally, the release of the weights is accomplished by a simplepull in any direction upon one or more handles affixed to cords runningto the zippers. When releasing the weights, no other component (e.g.,pockets) is discarded, such as in other existing devices. In addition,the present invention has less components interacting with each other,thus making the weight release system cost effective and reliable.

[0030] It is thus believed that the operation and construction of thepresent invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. Whilethe apparatus and system shown and described has been characterized asbeing preferred, it will be readily apparent that various changes andmodifications could be made therein without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A weight release system for releasing a weightfrom an underwater diver, said weight release system comprising: apocket having an interior section for retaining a weight; a zipperlocated on said pocket, said zipper positioned on a bottom portion ofsaid pocket; a cord having a first end and a second end, said first endattached to said zipper; and a handle attached to the second end;whereby an application of pulling force to said handle causes saidzipper to open, thereby creating an opening in said pocket and releasingthe weight retained in said pocket by gravity from said pocket.
 2. Theweight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver ofclaim 1 further comprising a grommet for guiding the cord, said grommetenabling the application of pulling force on the handle to direct anappropriately directed force onto said zipper to move said zipper to anopened position.
 3. The weight release system for releasing a weightfrom an underwater diver of claim 2 wherein said grommet is attached toa bottom portion of said pocket.
 4. The weight release system forreleasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 2 wherein saidgrommet is attached to a piece of equipment worn by the diver.
 5. Theweight release system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver ofclaim 1 wherein said cord is a nylon cable.
 6. The weight release systemfor releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 furthercomprising a second pocket for retaining a weight, said second pockethaving: a second zipper located on said second pocket, said secondzipper positioned on a bottom portion of said second pocket; a secondcord having a first end and a second end, said first end attached tosaid second zipper; and a second handle attached to the second end;whereby an application of pulling force to said second handle causessaid second zipper to open, thereby creating an opening in said secondpocket and releasing the weight retained in said second pocket bygravity from said second pocket.
 7. The weight release system forreleasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 6 wherein saidsecond handle is integrated into said first handle to form an integratedhandle, whereby application of force to the integrated handle causingsaid first and second zippers to open, thereby releasing any weightsheld in said first and second pockets.
 8. The weight release system forreleasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 1 wherein saidhandle is a loop.
 9. The weight release system for releasing a weightfrom an underwater diver of claim 1 wherein said handle is a T-handle.10. The weight release system for releasing a weight from a scuba diverof claim 1 wherein said handle is detachably secured to said pocket. 11.The weight release system for releasing a weight from an underwaterdiver of claim 1 wherein said pocket is attached to a buoyancy controldevice (BCD).
 12. The weight release system for releasing a weight froman underwater diver of claim 1 wherein said pocket is attached to aweight belt.
 13. The weight release system for releasing a weight froman underwater diver of claim 1 wherein said pocket is attached to aweight harness.
 14. The weight release system for releasing a weightfrom an underwater diver of claim 1 wherein said zipper opens from arear side of said pocket to a front side of said pocket.
 15. The weightrelease system for releasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim1 wherein said zipper opens from a front side of said pocket to a rearside of said pocket
 16. The weight release system for releasing a weightfrom an underwater diver of claim 1 further comprising a closeableopening located on said pocket for inserting a weight within theinterior section of said pocket.
 17. A weight release system forreleasing a weight from an underwater diver, said weight release systemcomprising: a pocket having an interior section for retaining a weight,said pocket having an opening; a flap covering the opening, said flappreventing the weight from falling out of the interior section of saidpocket; a zipper attached to said flap and said pocket; a cord having afirst end and a second end, said first end attached to said zipper; anda handle attached to the second end; whereby an application of pullingforce to said handle causes said flap to fall free and revealing theopening, thereby allowing the weight retained in said pocket to fall outthrough the opening.
 18. The weight release system for releasing aweight from an underwater diver of claim 17 further comprising acloseable opening located on said pocket for inserting a weight withinthe interior section of said pocket.
 19. The weight release system forreleasing a weight from an underwater diver of claim 17 furthercomprising a grommet for guiding the cord, said grommet enabling theapplication of pulling force on the handle to direct an appropriatelydirected force onto said zipper to move said zipper to an openedposition.
 20. A weight release system attached to a buoyancy controldevice (BCD) for releasing a weight from an underwater diver, saidweight release system comprising: a first pocket having an interiorsection for retaining a weight, said first pocket attached to the BCDsaid first pocket having: a first zipper located on said first pocket,said first zipper positioned on a bottom portion of said first pocket; afirst cord having a first end and a second end, said first end attachedto said first zipper; and a first handle attached to the second end; afirst grommet attached to said first pocket for guiding the first cord,said first grommet enabling the application of pulling force on saidfirst handle to direct an appropriately directed force onto said firstzipper to move said first zipper to an opened position; whereby anapplication of pulling force to said first handle causes said firstzipper to open, thereby creating a first opening in said first pocketand releasing the weight retained in said first pocket by gravity fromsaid first pocket; and a second pocket having an interior section forretaining a weight, said second pocket attached to the BCD and having: asecond zipper located on said second pocket, said second zipperpositioned on a bottom portion of said second pocket; a second cordhaving a first end and a second end, said first end attached to saidsecond zipper; a second handle attached to the second end; and a secondgrommet attached to said second pocket for guiding the cord, said secondgrommet enabling the application of pulling force on the handle todirect an appropriately directed force onto said second zipper to movesaid second zipper to an opened position; whereby an application ofpulling force to said second handle causes said second zipper to open,thereby creating a second opening in said second pocket and releasingthe weight retained in said second pocket by gravity from said secondpocket.